Oh No, Iowa...Don't Follow California

Sadly, the voters in Iowa have not voted to retain the three justices that supported the 2009 gay marriage decision. Ironically, the newly elected Governor, Terry Branstad, appointed two of them in 1983 and 1993 during his previous terms as Governor, but he appears to be swayed by the people's vote in not wanting former Governor Chet Culver to make the new appointments - which he has the authority to do. May Governor Culver exercise his right to not be bullied or intimidated by out-of-state religious interests.

See this:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20101103/NEWS09/11030390/1001/NEWS/Iowans-dismiss-three-justices

http://iowaindependent.com/tag/terry-branstad

http://iowaindependent.com/46959/judicial-retention-vote-sets-stage-for-push-to-overturn-gay-marriage

It seems to me that many voters don't understand that the judiary do not just exist because they look good in robes. They are a part of the checks and balances of government, and it is their job to independently review the constitutional merits of laws without regard to the popular vote. So many people seem to think these justices "overstepped their bounds" when they are merely doing their jobs.

Sigh. The fight to overturn the decision in Iowa has just began. And just like in California, there may have been significant funding from religious groups across the country.